Jobs that make a difference allow people to have a positive impact on communities and the world through their career. There are lots of different jobs that have such an impact and lots of ways to go about getting one. There are some jobs whose very purpose is to benefit people and the environment, such as doctors or environmental lawyers.
However, there are plenty of other ways to work while making a difference too. One path to a job that benefits people and the environment is through internships or volunteer opportunities. This is a path that will broaden your perspective and give you experiences of a lifetime. RealStep offers professional experiences all over the world that all have a positive impact. Any job can make a difference as long as you have positive change as your ultimate goal.
Jobs that contribute to the preservation or restoration of the environment are known as “green careers.”
These careers are becoming increasingly in-demand, along with the technical skills that they require. “Green skills,” similarly to “green careers,” are skills, knowledge and behaviours that are necessary to face environmental challenges and to find new opportunities and solutions.
Prioritising green skills and careers is a way to move towards a “green economy” in which economic growth is still a prime concern however with more emphasis on sustainability and environmental impacts. In this economy, there is a more holistic mindset, ensuring that both profits and the climate are taken into consideration.
There are a wide range of green careers in many different professional sectors. Some examples include environmental scientists, environmental lawyers, engineers, architects, government workers, ecologists and more. As long as the career contributes to the preservation and restoration of the environment, it can be categorised as a “green career.”
There are many jobs that have an environmental focus.
Any career that works to preserve the environment and promote sustainability would be considered an environmentalism job.
Engineers that prioritize the environment, biologists, wildlife specialists and park rangers are examples. Those who work to design and implement sustainable energy strategies are also in environmentalism careers. There are also people fighting for increased sustainability and persecuting those who damage the environment, such as environmental lawyers. These are just a few of the many environmentalism jobs out there.
There are countless nonprofit organisations worldwide, each working to benefit communities and the environment.
Nonprofits provide a wide range of services, including programs to raise awareness on various issues, raising money, medical research, increased access to education, etc.
If there is an issue you are passionate about, chances are there is a nonprofit out there for you. One of the best ways to work at a nonprofit is to start by volunteering and interning, building your network and resume. Look for job opportunities at nonprofits that interest you and apply! Examples of global nonprofits include Greenpeace, Red Cross, American Heart Association and WATERisLIFE, among many others. RealStep works with a number of local NGOs around the globe.
Humanitarian aid organisations work to help and assist people in need.
Some have been affected by natural disasters, abuse, political crises, etc. There are a variety of organisations to address each of these issues and more. Humanitarian aid organisations can have job opportunities ranging from volunteers and interns to executive directors and engineers. Famous examples of humanitarian aid organisations include the United Nations, Doctors Without Borders, World Food Program and Oxfam.
Those working in healthcare are able to make a great difference in people’s lives. Everyone has a different specialisation, able to help people with a wide variety of afflictions. Healthcare is an extremely broad field. Some healthcare professionals deal with mental illnesses while others perform surgery. There are dentists, dermatologists, opticians, nurses and so many more. Each has a specific role to help people and improve lives, and each one can make a positive difference through their job.
Education is a field that can have a significant impact on people at all walks of life. Teachers can have huge effects on their students throughout their education, from nursery school to university. Better education can increase opportunities and potential quality of life as well. There are also many different types of careers in education, ranging from special education teachers or school counsellors to university professors or school administrators. Each one has an important role and the power to affect a real positive difference in their students’ lives.
Social entrepreneurs work to create new solutions to community issues.
These people use their expertise and knowledge to come up with ways to meet societal needs. Social entrepreneurship is about prioritising the greater good over profits, often taking the form of a company creating environmentally friendly products, helping communities in need or focusing on other humanitarian activities. Examples of some social entrepreneurs include Shiza Shahid, Bill Drayton, Rachel Brathen and Muhammad Yunus, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
There are many jobs within the government that have the capacity to benefit people’s lives. As the government is responsible for creating, enforcing and upholding laws, they have the power to make laws that contribute to the benefit of the world. Governmental officials can work to help climate change, reduce unemployment, ensure social justice, etc. There are also a wide variety of government jobs within a diverse range of agencies, including health, justice, agriculture, strategic analysis, army, etc. There is potential to invoke real positive change working in each of these sectors.
Lawyers and others in the field of law work to ensure that the law is upheld correctly. They can benefit society by making sure those that break the law are brought to justice. There are many different types of lawyers working in different fields such as family law, criminal law, corporate law, environmental law and more. By studying, interpreting and applying the law, they can fight for people’s rights and make the world a more just place. Just as the government has the power to create laws, lawyers ensure those laws are followed correctly.
Engineers have a great influence in the world and are responsible for many of the things we take for granted. They use their scientific knowledge to address issues and improve the world, analysing, designing and building solutions to a variety of problems. Beyond civil engineers building bridges and roads, there are also chemical engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, etc. Each plays an important role in the development of our society and the betterment of the world. Engineers or future engineers can make a difference already by doing an engineering internship.
Just as there are many rewarding careers that make a difference, there are also many pathways to achieve such a career. Sustainable careers can make a positive impact and are available in many different professional fields all over the world. A good way to begin your sustainable career would be to volunteer or intern for an organisation that prioritises a cause you are interested in. This will give you work experience and help to make connections, not to mention benefit communities and the world.
One way to work towards a sustainable career would be an internship in an organisation that prioritises impactful, sustainable actions. There are countless rewarding internships in which you can make a difference in the world while also travelling and furthering your career. From a veterinarian internship in Portugal and a marine conservation project in Fiji to a nursing internship in Vietnam and a marketing and design internship in Eswatini, the sky is truly the limit!
A good time to volunteer or intern and begin your fulfilling career would be on a gap year. A gap year allows time to travel and fully commit to the experience without the pressures of university or a full-time job. There are many sustainable gap year programs all over the world. You could work for the conservation of sea turtles in Cape Verde, contribute to improving education in Costa Rica or get paid to work on a farm in Australia.
One example is RealStep’s Gap Year with a Purpose. This program gives students the opportunity to study abroad, be involved in fulfilling projects with a positive impact and finance their gap year with paid jobs. This combination allows students to access a wide range of educational projects and to leave with new skills and, in some cases, certifications.
You don’t have to have a typical “green career” to make a difference in the world. By doing a job well, almost any career can have a positive impact. An accountant helps people by ensuring transactions are done correctly. A construction worker benefits a community by creating buildings that last. Stay-at-home parents make the world a better place by raising children that are responsible and conscious of world issues. No matter how big or small the sphere of influence, anyone can make a positive difference in their community by doing their job well and prioritizing the betterment of the world.
In order to forge a career that makes a difference, there are some skills that are necessary. Primarily, you need to have empathy and should have a real passion for enacting positive change. It is essential to care about the cause you are aiding, whether it is humanitarian or environmental or anything in between. In addition, listening and communication skills are very important in this type of career. You must be able to actively listen and consider the issue at hand, as well as communicate your own thoughts, ideas and plans. Creativity and determination will also determine your success and the difference you are able to make in your career.
There are many jobs that make a difference in the world. As long as you have the determination and passion for positive change, you can find a fulfilling career that will have a positive impact.
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